China has put Defense Minister Dong Jun under investigation over a corruption-related scandal, a report citing U.S. officials said Wednesday, in a development that could undermine efforts to maintain military-to-military communications just months before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Dong is the third consecutive incumbent or former defense chief to be probed over alleged corruption in a wide-ranging scandal that has hit the top echelons of China¡¯s People¡¯s Liberation Army (PLA), , citing current and former U.S. officials.